Parsee Voice - Traditional Zoroastrianism: Tenets of the Religion

TRUTH JUSTICE RIGHT
The
Parsee Voice
Vol. III. 1
September 2005 For Private Circulation
Entering The 3rd Year...
Readers will notice that with this issue, we have done
away with giving two fortnightly dates for the month,
under the masthead. From now on, the name of the month
and year alone will be mentioned.
Future Imperfect
As we cast a glance on the two years gone by, we are
filled with remorse. Each year seems to be getting worse
than the previous year! But the picture visible on the
distant horizon is even worse! We are neither defeatists
nor doomsday prophets. On the contrary, our great
religion has taught us to be incorrigible optimists. Yet,
the way events have taken place, particularly in the last
year, when Parsees were in the news throughout, for all
the wrong reasons though, have displeased us no end.
We have always maintained that we have no personal
animosity against anyone. But when the innocent,
gullible average Parsee is bombarded week after week
with hackneyed century-old shibboleths, when untruths
1
and blatant lies masquerade as hard facts, when a totally
baseless fear psychosis is sought to be created, e.g. the
declining Parsee population, etc., and when “Deen-
Dushmans” try to blatantly torpedo basic Zoroastrian
tenets and traditions, The Parsee Voice has to speak
up, and will always do so, for the sake of Truth, Justice
and Right!
The Pahlavi writers of the 9th century A.D. described their
future as siha, siha bût (dark, very dark!) Today, the
scenario unfolding in the Parsee community is a tiny copy
of what happened just before the downfall of the Sassanian
Empire: internecine feuds, inter-faith “marriages” and a
complete decline in the virtues and the ethos of the followers
of the Mazdayasni Zarthoshti Deen, thanks in particular
to the exploits of Mani and Mazdak! Today, we have in our
midst, modern-day Mazdaks and Manis, who have no
compunction in claiming that they are the puny saviours
of the Zoroastrian religion!! May the true Saviour come
soon!
FPZAI Meet : Of Politics & Panjandrums
What used to earlier be a very non-descript affair, has,
since the last couple of years, become an event of interest
to that section of the community, which takes active
interest in its affairs. We refer to the bi-annual meetings
of The Federation of Parsi Zoroastrian Anjumans of India
(FPZAI), the last of which was held on the 3rd and 4th of
September 2005 in Mumbai.
Readers may recall the highly motivated and biased reports
which appeared in the Parsee Press after the Ahmedabad
meeting of FPZAI, when a majority of Anjumans decided
that they had had enough of the bullying and pressure
tactics of the FPZAI functionaries and had voiced their
dissent to the decision proposed to be taken with regard to
the FPZAI joining the cosmopolitan World Body of
Zoroastrians.
Report by H.M. Mistry
It was evident that the events at Ahmebadad had not been
easily erased from the minds of those who were at the
receiving end then. Minoo Shroff, Chairman of the Bombay
Parsi Punchayet, who is also President of the FPZAI, was
clearly ill at ease. Instead of standing up to his reputation
of being sauve and debonair, he started the proceedings
on a grumpy note, virtually cautioning the delegates
against giving a repeat performance of Ahmedabad,
explaining that the Federation meetings were meant to
provide a platform to meet and exchange ideas to lead the
community.
However, on the issue of confirmation of the minutes of
the Ahmedabad meeting, Areez Khambatta, Vice President
of FPZAI and Chairman of The Ahmedabad Parsi
Punchayet, raised an objection to the minuting of the fact

that he had apologised. He explained that he had not done
anything wrong and that the apology tendered then was
only for the commotion. There was no wrong done by him.
Putting it on record in this manner would be wrong. After
some discussion, he was requested to redraft that portion
for the Chairman’s consideration and approval.
After this initial hiccup, the representatives of the various
Anjumans were invited to introduce themselves.
Representatives from more than 50 out of 69 Anjumans
were present.
Foundation for Development of Udvada
The first salvo was fired by Jamshed Mohta, the President
of Bardoli Jarthoshti Anjuman, during matters arising out
of the minutes, on the issue of Udvada, which appeared
under the heading “pavitra yatra dham” in the minutes of
the Ahmedabad meeting. He questioned D.K. Tamboly,
Managing Trustee of the Foundation for Development of
Udvada (FDU), on the wisdom of amending the objectives
of the FDU Trust Deed to include objectives of a general,
and cosmopolitan, nature. (Readers will recall that “The
Parsee Voice” has been repeatedly questioning the
motive behind this move).
The amended generalised Trust Deed, he said,
sidelines the main objectives and enables the money
collected to be utilised for any purpose anywhere
in the world. If the money was for Udvada, why diversify
the objectives, he queried. Tamboly trotted out the lame
excuse that the expansion of the objectives in the
FDU Trust Deed was done with a view to induct
more Trustees, but Tamboly didn’t have too many
buyers for that one! More questions started pouring in
but Tamboly stalled all further discussion on the FDU by
saying that he was not obliged to answer to the FPZAI.
Mohta objected to this highhanded attitude and
insisted that Udvada and Iranshah belonged to the
whole community and not to any Trust and,
therefore, the FDU must show accountability to the
community. He also felt that since Udvada desperately
needed funds for infrastructural development like roads,
stable electricity and water, security, flooding and erosion
problems etc. the Govt. should use the money for that
purpose.
By now, Tamboly’s discomfort was visibly evident.
He assured that FDU funds would be used only for
Udvada. Tannaz Parakh requested Tamboly to
repeat his above statement for the record. She asked
for a categorical confirmation that the money
received by FDU would be used only for the welfare
of Udvada. Quite obviously, Tamboly was unable to
give this confirmation and mumbled that whatever
money was given for Udvada would be used for
Udvada. In short, if a donor did not specify the end
use of his donation, which in most cases nobody
does, the FDU was free to use it for any of its other
The Parsee Voice
objectives (which include projects abroad) unrelated
to Udvada and Iranshah.
Yazdi Desai representing the Jabalpur Anjuman, argued
that because of the very title of the Trust, funds solicited
by the FDU, would imply that they were for Udvada, when
in fact they can now be used for any other purpose unrelated
to Udvada. This was clearly misleading the community.
Keki Gandhi, the Secretary of FPZAI, came to Tamboly’s
rescue by stating that the Federation forum could not be
used for discussing other matters, conveniently
sidestepping the fact that the whole discussion was
prompted in the first place by the mention of this
matter in the minutes of the Ahmedabad meeting
which were awaiting adoption. Not just that! In the
two FPZAI meetings in June, 2003 and June 2004,
Tamboly himself had volunteered the skimpy
information about the formation of the FDU and
what the Collector of Valsad was asked to do!!
Non-receipt of Notice for the meeting
and other papers in time
President of the Dahanu Anjuman raised the issue of
Dahanu not receiving the Notice, Agenda and Minutes of
the Federation meeting, till just a few days prior to the
Meeting and requested that these be sent at least 21 days
in advance of the meeting. Other delegates complained
about not receiving the Notice at all. Gandhi informed
that he had sent them much earlier by UCP and could not
be held responsible for non-delivery by the postal
authorities. Then, Dahanu Anjuman raised the issue of
payment of their yearly fees, (for which they had proof
of posting) which the Secretary claimed had not been
received by him. This would debar Dahanu from
voting. Several other anjumans also faced
disqualification for non-payment of fees: Poona,
Jhansi, Nargol, Vizag, among others. Hoshang Wania
(Nargol) complained that though the FPZAI
registered office was in Mumbai at the BPP’s
address, they had refused to accept payment of fees
there, which was incorrect on their part. Some
arrangements should be made at this address for keeping
of accounts and collection of fees, since it was the official
registered office of the Federation, he said.
In view of the Bombay office not accepting the fees,
repeated appeals were made by many Anjumans to
accept fees in the form of demand drafts, before the
elections, which were to be held the next day, but
Gandhi was unrelenting!!
Jamsheed Kanga now representing the Satara Anjuman,
suggested that fees could be directly sent to an FPZAI
account in Bombay. Gandhi turned down the suggestion.
Kanga also requested Gandhi to send out the draft minutes
within three months of the Meeting, stating that sending
them after 8 months as was done this time, was too long a
Vol. III. I 2
September 2005

time. Gandhi replied that it was not possible to send them
out earlier!!
Management of affairs/properties
of defunct Anjumans
S. R. Katpitia was then called upon to give a detailed
account of his activities dealing with recovery of properties
of defunct Anjumans. What followed was a lengthy report
stating the actions taken in various cases.
At this point, Areez Khambatta, the irrepressible
patriarch from Ahmedabad, at whose insistence defunct
anjumans were put on the Agenda (Khambatta showed
us several letters written to the President, FPZAI urging
the leadership not to neglect this vital matter any more)
was on his feet and derided the FPZAI for being unable
to take care of our poor humdeens in the remote
parts of India, because FPZAI seems to be too busy
running after foreign Zoroastrians and wants to
accommodate the so-called ‘Zoroastrians’ the world
over. He wanted to know what outcome Katpitia’s legal
processes had achieved in real terms and not mere hopes
of recovery. At this point, B.H. Antia, BPP Trustee, under
whose legal instructions Katpitia was acting, interjected
to say that approx. Rs. 75 lakhs had been recovered.
Khambatta thundered that the Federation needs to know
how much the properties (that got in 75 lakhs) were
actually worth. There were no answers forthcoming.
Khambatta had clearly made his point, that the community
was losing hundreds of crores of rupees due to the slow
working of the Federation, which has entrusted this
mammoth task to a single man, who is over 80 years old
and who, infact, had been summarily dismissed by Antia!
Jamsheed Kanga felt that since Khambatta was
monopolising the discussion he should be handed over the
task of looking after the defunct Anjumans in and around
Ahmedabad, to which Khambatta replied that he would
be happy to do that. He urged that a strong team
(committee) be immediately formed to look after properties
of defunct anjumans.
At this stage, the Surat delegation was up in arms against
Katpitia whose certain activities in and around Surat had
offended their sensibilities. It seemed he had actually
attempted to close down the Nanpura (Palia Mohalla)
Dadgah, and that too, during the time of offering Bui to
the Padshah saheb. They stressed that Katpitia’s
services were terminated by the Surat Parsi
Panchayat due to allegations of financial
impropriety. He was also a self-confessed follower of the
Muslim faith, thus making him unfit to hold his present
position. The Surat delegation sought answers from
Katpitia to the above but the Chairman stepped in to state
that they, the Federation, had appointed Katpitia and that
all queries should be directed at them. The Chairman
repeated what Katpitia had earlier stated, namely that it
The Parsee Voice
was difficult to recover properties of defunct anjumans as
trustees in those areas were not co-operating.
Surprisingly, as many as three young and dynamic
members of our community had been invited as Guest
speakers! 1) Jimmy Mistry, a successful entrepreneur, was
described by the Chairman as a role model for our youth.
Young Jimmy Mistry who came up with ideas and schemes
for maintaining and upgrading our fire-temples and
improving the economic status of our mobeds, was given
some sound advice by Khojeste Mistree. When the younger
Mistry said he did not agree that priests should be in
charge of religious matters, Khojeste advised that just
as other professionals have the last word on matters
concerning their profession, priests should have the final
say on issues concerning religion. He also informed Jimmy
that there were many learned scholar Dasturs and mobeds
available even today. We hope the passionate young
Turk takes this sound advice to heart and moves in
the right direction, taking guidance from our learned
scholar priests.
2) Dr Anahita Pundole, who was manning the BPP’s
Fertility Clinic along with Dr. Pervin Dadachanji,
Psychiatrist and rendering free services to Parsee couples
who sought advice and treatment, was the speaker in the
afternoon session. Out of 90 couples who had availed of
this service, 27 women had conceived. Dr. Pundole’s service
to the community was highly appreciated and Khojeste
Mistree suggested introducing this facility in other parts
of the country, too. 3) Boman Irani, a successful young
entrepreneur, who is into construction, explained that his
concept of entrepreneurship was, taking responsibility for
one’s actions and to own every part of an organisation. His
mission was to lead others, not to be selfish and to make
others learn. Delegates were appreciative of all three
presentations, which were delivered with passion and drive.
However, there was heartburn among many delegates who
felt that due to an excess of guest speakers (perhaps
deliberate), the Open Forum on both days of the Meeting,
which many were looking forward to, in order to voice
concerns that were not on the Agenda, was not held.
Therefore, the very reason for which these deliberations
are held, were not addressed as most of the time was given
to guest speakers who would have better served the
community had they been on the agenda of the Zoroastrian
Chamber of Commerce. Perhaps this was a deliberate ploy
on the part of the FPZAI leadership which now is constantly
having to face up to the inadequacies of an organisation
that has failed for 25 years to effectively address the real
needs of the Anjumans!
Lt. Gen. Adi Sethna’s shenanigans
A delegate’s concern for dwindling numbers led Lt. Gen.
Adi Sethna to mention that Minoo Shroff was shortly due
to appear before a Parliamentary Committee to put forth
what is required to help in increasing the Parsee population.
Vol. III. I 3
September 2005

The Parsee Voice sees this as the General’s attempt to
rake up the issues of Adoption, acceptance of women’s
children and conversion, by using the bogey of dwindling
numbers. Chairman Shroff is being readied to
become the “sacrificial lamb” for Delhi Anjuman’s
special agenda of rapid and vapid reform in the
community. For all these years Delhi has been the
albatross round the community’s neck, for the
radical changes it has made in the religious fabric
of the community. Now Delhi wishes Mumbai and
other Anjumans to share their soiled image and
what better way than to drag the seemingly guileless
Minoo Shroff and the BPP also into the quagmire of
unrestrained reform!! We hope better sense prevails and
the BPP Chairman remembers that our learned High
Priests have clearly opined that all the above positions
advocated by Delhi, go against our Religious tradition.
It is ironic that on the one hand General Sethna exhibits
concern for the preservation of Parsee heritage through
the activities of Parzor and on the other, is determined to
destroy our practices and way of life. We call upon the
community to reassess the support they have so
unstintingly given to General Sethna and Parzor. General
Sethna must once and for all tell the community the truth.
Is Parzor a coverup for General Sethna’s ambition to
radicalise the practices of our religion?
Anahita Desai stood up to inform the delegates that
Gen. Sethna is misusing his position as a member
of the Minorities Commission, to influence the
Government to bring about changes in our Parsee
laws, under the guise of decreasing numbers. She
decried the fact that the Minorities Commission, under
Sethna’s guidance, had organized a so-called community
meeting at Sahyadri, a few months ago, at which only
known proponents of conversion, (Berjis Desai, Jehangir
Patel, Dr. Armaity Desai, and the General himself) were
invited as panellists. She cautioned that this one-sided
report, is being presented to the Government on behalf of
the community. She was, however, not allowed to
continue by the Chair and was rudely asked to sit
down, with no further discussion on the same!!
Rohinton Rivetna’s presentation
on World Body of Zoroastrians
Minoo Shroff then introduced Rohinton Rivetna, the first
President of FEZANA, who gave a presentation on the
current status of the proposed cosmopolitan World Body
of Zoroastrians, although the item on the Agenda stated,
Report on the 8th World Zoroastrian Congress. No new or
concrete facts were presented about the proposed
World Body. He kept stating that 35% of the votes
would be in favour of India and, thus, no resolution
of importance could be passed without India’s
concurrence. He underplayed the fact that complete
non-Zoroastrians would also end up being members
of this Zoroastrian body.
The Parsee Voice
Rivetna’s presentation and talk were uninspiring, to say
the least. He spoke in Gujarati and was distinctly ill at
ease while communicating. He failed miserably in
convincing those present, of the need to have a World Body
of Zoroastrians in the first place and more so, the need to
let complete non-Parsee Irani Zoroastrians become
members of the world body. He tried to impress that there
was no way he could control the fact that certain North
American Zoroastrian associations had allowed admission
to non-Zoroastrians as members but that we, in India,
should overlook this matter and magnanimously make
adjustments in our thinking (by giving up our age old
practices) and join the World Body. It seemed to matter
little to him that in the process we could be destroying the
Zarthoshti religion and our Parsee/Irani community.
Homi Ranina’s rejoinder to Rivetna
Homi Ranina represented WAPIZ. He mentioned that
WAPIZ was formed to bring together Parsee and Irani
Zoroastrians of the World, to defend, uphold and strengthen
tradition. He said that tradition is being put on the back
burner today, and we are told to change with the times.
While we are aware that times are changing, we believe
that Zoroastrian values are strong and deeply
rooted and should not be thrown away. Zoroastrian
values did not change with the times, he stressed.
He recalled that when they had studied the draft of the
World Body, they had immediately realised that something
was amiss. The definition of who is a ‘Zoroastrian’ was
missing. Zoroastrianism was the very core and
fundamental issue on which the World Body of Zoroastrians
was to be formed. Whether one calls the WB a political,
social or welfare Body, the fact remains that the word
‘Zoroastrian’, which is inseparable from the Parsi and Irani
identity means the same. Referring to the 1990 edition of
Encyclopaedia Britannica, he mentioned that for
Zoroastrians, religion and ethnicity are interlinked
and cannot be bifurcated. He requested the World Body
authorities to take this into account and not divide the
community for the so-called converts who are already
members of associations abroad. He asserted that the
definition of ‘Zoroastrian’ as laid down in the FPZAI
constitution should be accepted by all. He infact
pleaded with Rivetna, that why should North
American Zoroastrians wish to revolt against their
own community of Parsees and Iranis of India for
the sake of just a handful of converts. In fact he
stressed you all should abandon the converts and
join us instead!
He also dismissed the oft-repeated argument that the IZO
leadership would always be people of Parsee Irani origin
and that converts could not become office bearers. He
emphasized that this could be challenged in a court of law.
He contended that if a Zoroastrian organisation accepted
non-Parsee Irani Zoroastrian members, in 10 years, these
converts would outnumber the genuine Zoroastrians. Thus,
Vol. III. I 4
September 2005

the important thing was to define who is a Zoroastrian.
He reiterated that converts should not be allowed to be
members and membership should be confined to Parsee
Irani Zoroastrians only.
Dadi Engineer waxes eloquent
Dadi Engineer, BPP Trustee, jumped to Rivetna’s rescue
and gave the audience an insight into his own thinking
(misplaced and misguided as it was). He tried to impress
that the constitution of the new World Body had
adequate safeguards (we’ve heard that often enough
and know that it is not true), and that it was not a
religious body. He assured that the World Body
would not engage in conversion anywhere in the
World but admitted that non-Zoroastrian spouses
were members of certain Zoroastrian associations
and could not be thrown out. He said that Tradition
was in our genes. But in the next breadth, he asked
people to keep an open mind. One wonders where
all of Engineer’s traditional up-bringing goes when
he asks us to be broadminded and accept converts
as Zoroastrians, much against the tradition followed
by our sagacious forefathers!
At this stage, Keki Gandhi, in his usual attempt to shroud
the truth, attempted to fool the community by stating that
only organisations were joining WZO (F), thereby implying
that the question of entry of non-Zoroastrians as members
did not arise. Gandhi and Co. conveniently did not mention
(leave aside circulate) that the Constitution of the WZO
(Individuals), the main arm of the world body, (which is
now being called the WZO-W,) clearly allows converts
to become members. It is this kind of underhand deceit
that the traditionalists have to deal with and “The Parsee
Voice” urges the trustees of all Anjumans, big and
small, not to fall prey to this propaganda but to
boldly and firmly condemn it.
Khojeste Mistree launches broadside
Khojeste Mistree gave a fitting response to M/s. Rivetna
and Engineer. He said that it’s time we stopped fudging
issues and call a spade a spade. We were being asked to
delink ethnicity from religion on a global level, which is
unacceptable. He said that it was easy to be fooled by what
was said about the IZO and WZO, when we are deliberately
not given the whole picture. He said that it was legally
untenable to have only Parsee Irani Office bearers and yet
the leadership continues to promote that idea. He said that
Rustam Dubash of WZO has, in the Federation newsletter
itself, admitted, that it is possible for converts to become
office bearers. The North American Mobed Council, had
also clearly changed the definition of ‘Zoroastrian’ and
stated that a Zoroastrian is not necessarily a Parsee. He
reiterated that Zoroastrianism and Parseeism were
interlinked. It would be wrong to legitimise taking
converts on board.
The Parsee Voice
He stated that at the London Congress, Dorab Mistry,
President of ZTFE had revealed that 2000 Kurds had
approached the British Government saying that they were
Zoroastrians. Could we not see the danger we are posing
to our future generations?
Mistree asked if it was sensible to change our laws to
accommodate the converts. The community in India was
strongly traditional. Our forefathers had died to protect
the faith. He stressed that the voting weightage had not
changed. He wondered why we had to rely on the outsiders
to give us a draft constitution and why we couldn’t make
one ourselves. He emphasised that our religion was
not negotiable.
In response to Rivetna’s theme song of Hamazori, Mistree
said that Hamazori was acceptable but with our own Parsee
Irani Zoroastrians. It would be right to be united based on
ideology where the term ‘Zoroastrian’ is defined.
Khojeste’s explanation was greeted with loud applause.
Mr Rivetna was given the message loud and clear - No
World Body of Zoroastrians was acceptable to the Parsees,
if it included non- Parsee Irani Zoroastrians as Members.
He regretted that the BPP had so far not commented
on the recent establishment of a Prayer Hall in
Mumbai, which all our Priests had said was wrong.
To this the Chairman commented that since the BPP had,
in the past, been chastised for dabbling in religious matters,
they had no comment to offer this time. A fine excuse for
wriggling out of a tight situation!
In the matter of voting rights in the new World Body,
Wania sarcastically queried what was the use of 35%
voting rights in the new body when the said rights
would be exercised by people like Dinshaw Tamboly,
Dadi Engineer and Keki Gandhi? The sarcasm was
not lost on Tamboly who unsportingly reminded Wania
that they were the community’s elected representatives
whereas he, Wania, had lost the election. Implying that as
elected representatives they could do what they chose and
no one can question their credentials or their actions. Such
is the arrogance of our present-day trustees!
Young Zarvan Patvi, from Surat wanted Burjor Antia, (who
had during his recent visit to Surat, spoken against
Conversion) to give his views on the World Body. Instead
of giving the young lad a straight answer, Antia thundered
back that he was disgusted with the community’s attitude.
He insisted that he was a traditional! What are your views
on the Cosmopolitan World Body then, Burjorji? Fearful
of being caught riding two horses Burjoji resorted to the
oldest trick in the world, usually the prerogative of a woman
scorned. He lost his temper and the war with it. But truth
has an uncanny way of being heard. Burjorji caught in a
twist of his own making was laid bare by a simple question.
Vol. III. I 5
September 2005

Election drama
The way the Executive Council elections and General Body
Meeting procedure were conducted by the Shroff-Gandhi
duo would have made a politician blush. The speed and
the high-handedness with which the proceedings were
conducted were a clear indication of how transparency and
accountability were shown the door. Most of the time,
Mr Shroff, Chairman, sat tight-tipped while Gandhi was
steam-rolling the proceedings.
West Zone Wranglings
For the first time in the history of the FPZAI, two
nominations were received for the West Zone A and B.
The nomination of Firdaus Kayani of Pune was disqualified
as Pune had not paid its fees and Rustom Cursetji of Thane
was elected in his place, representing West Zone A. For
West Zone B, Daraius Master of Surat was declared elected
as Gandhi claimed that no other nomination was received.
This was objected to by Khambatta of Ahmedabad who
had also filed his nomination. Gandhi refused to accept
his nomination although the papers were filed at the
registered office in Mumbai. After much acrimony and
pressure from other delegates did Gandhi
condescend to accept Areez Khambatta’s
candidature for the post of Vice President. But he
promptly threw another spanner in the works by
announcing that elections to this post would be held
at the next General Body Meeting and hence the
post would remain vacant for one year. Homi
Ranina, a highly respected corporate lawyer, opined
that this was an absurd rule and liable to be
challenged. Dinshaw Mehta, a member of the
Executive Council, and a BPP trustee, also voiced
his opposition to this interpretation, but to no avail.
Many other delegates opposed this blatant attempt
to misinterpret rules but the voice of reason was
silenced in a rude and high-handed manner.
However, the issue was settled when the other
candidate from West Zone B, Daraius Master,
President of Surat Parsi Panchayat, withdrew his
candidature in favour of Mr Khambatta. This move
caught the wheeling-dealing leadership by surprise.
Daraius Master deserves our support and our hearty
congratulations for he showed the leadership the
meaning of grace and decorum.
Fees Farce
The issue of payment of fees was also made another bone
of contention. Those Anjumans who had not paid their fees
requested that they be allowed to tender the same by
demand draft. This was one day before the elections.
Gandhi was initially unrelenting but after repeated
requests accepted the fees. He, however, continued to
maintain that the respective delegates would be debarred
from voting or being nominated for the Executive Council
as the fees would be considered as paid only after they
were credited into the Federation bank account in Delhi.
Surely, Gandhi’s knowledge of banking matters is not so
The Parsee Voice
limited to be unaware that a demand draft is like cash in
hand!! The delegates then asked Dadi Engineer, a member
of the Executive Council to use his legal experience and
opine whether the Rules were being followed while
conducting the elections. He requested time to read and
decide and promised to revert later with his ruling. This
‘later’ never came. This, of course, was Engineer’s well
planned tactic to confuse and lull those opposing his good
friend Keki Gandhi!!
Step Down, Keki!
Khojeste Mistree accused Gandhi of inventing his
own rules. He also suggested that Gandhi should
step down as Federation Secretary. This suggestion
found favour with many delegates with someone
proposing the move, another quickly seconding it
and a large number of delegates standing up, in
support. But Gandhi, who is obviously playing for
higher stakes, turned a deaf ear to this suggestion.
He had the temerity to state that the Gandhis had
the habit of being assassinated but did not step
down. Only, he forgot that hoi pollois don’t get
“assassinated”. Gandhi’s comrade-in-arms, the ever
obliging Chairman, jumped to his rescue and chided the
members for not realising Gandhi’s worth in spite of his
having served the Federation for 25 years. Shroff, more
than anyone, should know, that only in the third
world countries ruled by military dictatorships do
individuals rule for 25 years at a stretch!
Alluding to the issues being raised by various delegates
questioning the validity of election procedures, Jamsheed
Kanga emphatically told the Chair that we should not
tolerate this ‘goondagiri’!!!. While there was a lot of
argument and cross-talking, there was definitely no
‘goondagiri’ as alleged by Kanga who was there as
usual to support his own brand of misplaced
reformism. It should be remembered that it was the
very same Kanga who, at the height of the
Doongerwadi crisis, had said some very disgusting
things about our nassasalars. Tannaz Parakh rightly
objected to the general discussions being referred to as
‘goondagiri’.
The Chairman then introduced Jamshed J. Irani, the new
Vice President from the Eastern Zone. Irani requested the
delegates to disagree without being disagreeable and to
observe decorum. Throughout the meeting Irani appeared
to be either dozing or playing with his mobile phone!
DPA should be out of FPZAI
Tannaz Parakh questioned Delhi Anjuman’s membership
of the Federation. Gandhi gave a lengthy talk on the genesis
of this matter but skipped the main point raised, which
was that under FPZAI Rules and Regulations, Delhi
does not qualify to be a member of the Federation.
The Hon. Secretary’s ruling was that if anyone had a
problem with Delhi’s membership, they would have to seek
remedy at the appropriate forum. Much of the angst
Vol. III. I 6
September 2005

against Delhi stems from the fact that Delhi controls
the Federation (one of the BPP Trustees admitted that
he was unaware that he was a member of the Executive
Council after having supposedly served on it for 2 whole
years!!) and is driving the Federation in a direction
diametrically opposite to that envisaged by our
traditional forefathers of yore and by our scholar
Priests today. The Parsee Voice appeals to the
traditional Anjumans to prevent the Federation
from being hijacked by the smooth talking, powerful
and highly influential, but religiously ignorant
leadership of the Federation.
The Youth Wings of various Anjumans were then allowed
to give reports on their various activities. The Chairman
remarked that we should pick up budding talent and help
them.
The afternoon session was taken up by various Anjumans
giving their reports and detailing their problems. A
common problem that was mentioned was the paucity of
mobeds to man the local Agiaries.
The way the meeting was conducted left one with a bitter
taste. Minoo Shroff, as the Chairman, in spite of his socalled
corporate experience of decades, proved completely
at sea as the Chairman. It was evident that the all-powerful
Secretary, Keki Gandhi, was calling all the shots.
This duo definitely needs to step out of their ivory
The Parsee Voice
Our Observations :
“The rape of the Federation” & Murder of Democracy!
Bulldozing Bulldozing and and Browbeating Browbeating – – order order of of the the day
day
Part of the top heading, in quotation marks, has been taken
from Parsiana’s editorial in its issue of 21st September
2005, the remaining half is ours. Both halves typically
symbolise the rough-shod manner in which the elections of
the Executive Committee members of the FPZAI were
conducted by the Jt. Hon. Secretary, Keki Gandhi, tacitly
supported by the President of the FPZAI along with his
colleagues of the BPP. In 15 minutes flat, both the
Annual General Meeting and the elections of the new
Executive Council from all over India – to fill up 30
posts! – were completed on the morning of Sunday,
the 4th September. Strange that the over-resourceful
CEO, B.T. Dastur, of BPP, who was present on both the
days, did not deem it fit to send this feat of Gandhi & Co.
for consideration to the Limca Book of Records, if not to
the Guinness Book of Records!
The strategy for Sunday’s elections were obviously preplanned
and pre-meditated by the caucus a few days in
advance. Dadi Engineer gave the secret away when he
declared a day earlier that Areez Khambatta would be
“clean bowled” the next day! However, he had to eat humble
towers to realise that gone are the days when the
Anjuman members would meekly surrender to their
abrasive and dictatorial way of functioning. They
still continue talking down to people who have a
different viewpoint and refuse to give such delegates
a chance to voice their views and objections. This is
what leads to acrimony and outbursts. It was obvious
that the leadership was trying to make a decided
attempt to pack the Council with like-minded people
and keep traditional and outspoken persons like
Khambatta out. The election procedure was
motivated, manipulated, unfair and arbitrary. But
can we really expect anything better from a man who
claims that he will hang on to power until he is
“assassinated”. Such is the power and lure of the chair!
Two sessions were given to the young entrepreneurs. These
sessions were out of place at an Anjuman meeting. It was
quite obvious that the intention was in effect not to give
time to the delegates to discuss and question the World
Body of Zoroastrians, the Foundation for Development of
Udvada, and other contentious issues.
This election of the Federation spelt the death of Democracy
in the community.And the Obituary could read : Died
Democracy Truth and Fair play in the Parsee community.
Murdered by Keki Gandhi
pie when, on Sunday, he realised that he had not seen the
umpire’s right hand shoot out at 90°, while he was bowling.
May be, Engineer forgot to do his mandatory Kusti after
answering Nature’s call, that day! Khambatta did emerge
again as the Vice President of West Zone B. Gandhi’s
deplorable subterfuge that the nomination letter was not
received by the Federation secretariat in Delhi, when he
and the entire calculating cabal knew very well that the
registered office of FPZAI is in Mumbai, at BPP’s
headquarters, didn’t behove the fevi-stick Jt. Secretary’s
chair!
These are the rapists of the Federation and the
murderers of democracy! Unfortunately, so strong and
heady has been the Ahmedabad hangover, that even after
nine long months (December 2004–September 2005), it
refused to let go not only the FPZAI top brass and the BPP
trustees, but even it seems the senior editorial staff of the
erstwhile reasonably balanced ‘Parsiana’. While we do not
wish to carry journalism to Tehmulji’s, we shall most
certainly say that the “morning after”, which seems to have
been a difficult gestation period for ‘Parsiana’, has seen
Vol. III. I 7
September 2005

some hopelessly biased and myopic “Editorial Viewpoints”
from the pen of a senior Parsee journalist! The “Viewpoint”
of the September 21st issue on the Federation meeting
touched the nadir of Editorial writing! Holes can be picked
in every single paragraph, full of personal attacks and
vindictive malicious remarks! All we can say, at this
juncture, is, et tu Jehangir?
One really wonders how hopelessly one-sided Parsee
journalism has become in recent years. There’s this
apparently coke-snorting columnist of a weekly, who
obviously bangs at a contumelious computer ! When he is
not day-dreaming, he suffers from an acute viral bout of
PVP, or ‘Parsee Voice’ Phobia! Is someone calling the shots
from behind all these pen-pushers?
FDU In FPZAI!
The “Foundation for Development (sic) of Udvada”
(FDU) featured in the FPZAI meetings of June 2003,
June 2004 and December 2004. In the first two, it was
the master-misdoer, D.K. Tamboly, who gave extremely
sketchy details about the formation of the FDU. In the
December 2004 Federation meeting also, Tamboly had
murmured a few words about FDU, which was duly minuted
for the September 2005 meeting. Naturally, Bardoli
Anjuman’s President Jamshed Mohta, queried Tamboly, the
The Parsee Voice
Community Capers
(1) (1) Behram-e Behram-e boundar boundary boundar y maari!
maari!
No, this is not a new Parsi play being rehearsed by Yezdi
Karanjia or Dinyar Tirandaz! This is our BPP Behram, the
Behram, not of Bardoli, but of Bandra, who got himself into
the Guinness Book of World Records! What did he do? He
thought of newer/bizarre ways to increase the Parsee
population? Or, did he come out with a new translation of
the Haptan Yasht? Or, did he give a novel interpretation
of rule, A,B, C of the FPZAI Constitution?
No, no! Nothing of the sort. B.T. Dastur bombarded editors
of the world’s newspapers with the largest number of
missives (2,493) and created a world record of penning
letters. Of course, that did not include any letter he wrote,
to The Parsee Voice. Is there any other bawa who can
better Behramji’s record? If Burjorji Bharucha (Ba-fa-bha)
were alive today, may be he would have pipped B.T. at the
post?
(2) (2) Shaking Shaking up up “Rasna”
“Rasna”
Ever since the Ahmedabad FPZAI meeting, so we hear, D.K.
Tamboly, Minoobhai Shroff, Burjorji Antia, Jehangir Patel
and people of their genre have stopped drinking Rasna and
brain behind the two cosmopolitan Trust Deeds supposed
to “develop” Udvada, about the need for a second Trust Deed
in two years, during which there were no activities
undertaken by FDU. So, why were the “objects” increased
in 2005? (The Parsee Voice had published a thorough
exposé in its June 2005 issue).
Tamboly, who is always at loggerheads with Truth, instead
of giving a proper reply, hedged by stating that he was not
obliged to reply to the FPZAI about FDU!! Why? When it
was he, who first grandiosly proclaimed at the June 2003
meeting of the FPZAI that the FDU was formed, with Dastur
Khurshed Dastur Kaikobad of Udvada as the Chairman, as
Udvada was to be declared a “Pavitra Yatra Dham”! How
many wrongs and falsehoods will Tamboly hide, so as to
shirk giving a straightforward answer and instead, wait
for Keki Gandhi to come to his succour?! What is shocking
is that Parsiana’s report in this matter by Arnavaz Mama
takes up cudgels for Tamboly by stating: “Tamboly, a trustee
of the FDU, had been keeping the all-India body informed
of developments in a spirit of camaraderie”!! Then, let him
now reply to legitimate questions regarding FDU in the
same “spirit of camaraderie’. The September FPZAI meeting
was certainly a blot on those members, who thought nothing
of piercing a stiletto in the back of democracy — that
democracy which these executive committee members never
tire of paying lip sympathy to! — Editor
Cola-cola. Not because they don’t like Hrithik Roshan or
Karishma Kapoor, but because they (the drinks, that is)
were the favourites of their nemesis, Areez Khambatta. So,
the World Body guys preferred the US-based Kraft Foods’
Tang! In the latest Federation meeting in Mumbai (so a bird
tells us), Jimmy Caterers were expressly asked not to serve
the Pioma products.
But they had not reckoned with Old Boy Areez! He had
already passed on the mantle of Chairman and Managing
Director of Rasna group to his very able and dynamic son
Piruz! And, what do you know! As the saying goes, Baap
kartaan beto savayo! Piruz has, in a short time turned the
whole Piona Industries on its head. Like a doughty warrior
of yore, he first took on Tang and toppled it. Now, his sights
are on snackfood market, where Pepsico’s and Saif Ali Khan
– Preity Zinta’s Lay’s products are his first target.
Maybe, at Ratlam’s FPZAI meeting, early 2006, they may
not be able to serve the western-flavoured chips, but
thereafter, in the Mumbai meeting even, the hard-boiled
Keki Gandhi will not be able to say ‘no’ to the potato, cornbased
savoury! Atta boy, Piruz! Futeh Karo!
Edited, printed and published by Adi F. Doctor, 803-C, Dr. B. Ambedkar Road, Dadar, Mumbai 400 014. Associate Editor : H.M. Mistry
Printed at H.J. Commercial Printers at 329 Milan Industrial Estate, T.J. Marg, Cotton Green (W), Mumbai 400 033.
e-mail: theparseevoice@yahoo.com
Vol. III. I 8
September 2005